Study finds Illinois mining injuries are underreported

Recent research has found the majority of Illinois mining-related injuries and illnesses go unreported to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). MSHA requires mine operators to report all such on-the-job incidents to the agency under its Part 50 program.

University of Illinois researchers examined MSHA reports of mining injuries and illnesses in the state between 2001 and 2013. They then linked them to corresponding Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) cases.

There were 5,653 WCC cases among mining employees during that period. However, the research team identified just 1,923 reports that corresponded to the Part 50 program. This means around two-thirds of cases were unreported to the MSHA.

Smaller mining operations had the lowest reporting rates. Researchers attributed the underreporting to a lack of workplace safety programs. In addition, workers may hesitate to file workers’ compensation claims due to “fear of losing their job or because they are unfamiliar with the system,” said study co-author Kirsten Almberg.

She recommended putting policies in place to boost workplace safety and protect mining workers from retaliation. Almberg also suggested implementing educational programs about workers’ compensation and Part 50.

The law firm of Briskman Briskman & Greenberg represents injured people throughout Illinois, including Chicago, the Chicagoland area, Joliet, Waukegan, Cicero, Evanston, Arlington Heights, Wheaton, Bolingbrook, and Naperville, as well as other cities within Cook County, Will County, DuPage County, Lake County and McHenry County. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg also represents injured people throughout Wisconsin, including Kenosha, Milwaukee, and Madison.